STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 3611
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 769, 770
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirtieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2020
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 769 and 770, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:
Endangered Species
Recovery Committee
G.M. No. 769 |
KAWIKA WINTER, for a term to expire 06-30-2023; and |
G.M. No. 770 |
LOYAL ARCHIE MEHRHOFF, for a term to expire 06-30-2023, |
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Kawika Winter and Loyal Archie Mehrhoff for service as members of the Endangered Species Recovery Committee.
KAWIKA WINTERS
Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Kawika Winter from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, University of Hawai‘i System, and three individuals.
Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Winter's background, knowledge, and experience in Hawaiian ethnobotany qualify him for reappointment to the Endangered Species Recovery Committee as a representative with a background in native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices. Dr. Winter is currently employed as the Reserve Manager of the He‘eia National Estuarine Research Reserve within the Office for Coastal Management under the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Association, where he facilitates collaborative research into restoration efforts using indigenous resource management principles. Dr. Winter has earned a doctorate degree and master's degree in botany from the University of Hawaii. Dr. Winter also serves on the Hawai‘i Conservation Alliance Steering Committee and the Cesspool Working Group for Department of Health as a representative for the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology. He additionally works as a Cooperating Graduate Faculty at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Your Committee further finds that Dr. Winter has served on the Endangered Species Recovery Committee since 2018. Dr. Winter's experience and knowledge will continue to be assets to the Endangered Species Recovery Committee. Your Committee therefore recommends that Dr. Winter be reappointed to the Endangered Species Recovery Committee based on his experience, knowledge, and demonstrated commitment to public service.
LOYAL ARCHIE MEHRHOFF
Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Loyal Archie Mehrhoff from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and He‘eia National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Mehrhoff's experience and background in endangered species listing, botany, recovery, and consultation qualify him to be nominated for reappointment to the Endangered Species Recovery Committee as a field biologist with expertise in conservation biology. Your Committee notes that Dr. Mehrhoff was the former Endangered Species Recovery Coordinator at the Center for Biological Diversity and the former Director of the U.S. Geological Survey's Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center. He has also served as the Field Supervisor of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office and has experience in field studies on Hawaiian endangered species as a Research Botanist with the Bishop Museum. Your Committee further finds that Dr. Mehrhoff has served on the Endangered Species Recovery Committee since 2017. Dr. Mehrhoff's experience and knowledge will continue to be assets to the Endangered Species Recovery Committee. Your Committee therefore recommends that Dr. Mehrhoff be reappointed to the Endangered Species Recovery Committee based on his knowledge and demonstrated commitment to public service.
As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominees, has found the nominees to be qualified for the positions to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nominations.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,
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____________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair |
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